Sr. Manager, Ingredients - Oils, Processed Grains, & Components

Kraft Heinz, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 104,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz, Inc. in Chicago seeks a Category Strategy & Management professional to develop and execute multi-year category plans for oils, grains, flour, pasta, components, and related ingredients.

You will lead strategic supplier segmentation, manage negotiations, and drive productivity, risk mitigation, sustainability, and innovation aligned with Kraft Heinz priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 6+ years in procurement, sourcing, or commodity management.
• Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations and supplier relationships.
• Strong financial, analytical, and project management capabilities.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead through ambiguity.
• Experience in foods, ingredients, agriculture, commodities, or CPG sectors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for oils, grains, flour, pasta, and related ingredients.
• Lead complex sourcing events, negotiations, and supplier selection decisions.
• Drive value through market intelligence, risk mitigation, and sustainability.
• Manage supplier relationships and conduct executive reviews with key suppliers.
• Lead programs to improve category performance and supply continuity.
• Deliver productivity and cash flow targets through governance and reporting.

Skills

Procurement

Sourcing

Category management

Negotiations

Supplier relationships

Financial analysis

Project management

Change leadership

Stakeholder influence

Ambiguity navigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Business/Finance/Economics/Engineering

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Analytics tools

Job description

Category Strategy & Management

Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for oils, grains, flour, pasta, components, and related commodity ingredient categories. Translate business priorities into procurement strategies that support growth, margin enhancement, supply continuity, innovation, and operational excellence. Monitor commodity markets, supply-demand dynamics, geopolitical developments, regulatory trends, and supplier capabilities to proactively identify risks and opportunities. Establish category roadmaps with clear productivity, risk mitigation, sustainability, and innovation objectives. Lead strategic supplier segmentation and relationship management programs.

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiations

Lead complex sourcing events, negotiations, contract development, and supplier selection decisions. Drive total cost improvements through market intelligence, supplier collaboration, specification optimization, and commercial negotiations. Develop sourcing strategies that improve competitiveness while ensuring continuity of supply. Negotiate commercial agreements, risk-sharing mechanisms, pricing structures, and long-term partnerships.

Supplier Relationship Management

Serve as executive relationship owner for key strategic suppliers. Conduct supplier business reviews, performance discussions, and capability assessments. Build collaborative partnerships that support innovation, sustainability, and operational improvements. Resolve escalated commercial, supply, quality, and contractual issues.

Categories

Edible oils Flour and processed grains Pasta Semi-finished goods and components Related commodity ingredients Execution of annual operating plans and multi-year category strategies.

Our Total Rewards philosophy

We provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.

Compensation

New Hire Base Salary Range: $104,200.00 - $130,200.00 Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents. The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Benefits

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs.

Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability Lead, coach, and develop procurement managers, buyers, and category specialists.

Organizational Capability Development

Build organizational capability through performance management, succession planning, and individual development plans. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and ownership. Promote best-practice sourcing methodologies across the procurement organization.

Business Initiatives and Stakeholder Engagement

Lead highly complex business initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and significant business risk. Serve as a trusted advisor to Business Units, Manufacturing, Operations, R&D, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain teams. Drive alignment through fact-based recommendations, executive communication and business storytelling.

Cross-functional Programs

Lead cross-functional programs to improve category performance, supplier effectiveness, and business processes.

Risk Management & Supply Assurance

Develop and maintain category risk strategies covering supply continuity, geopolitical exposure, capacity constraints, financial health, sustainability, and quality risk. Establish contingency plans for critical materials and strategic suppliers. Partner with Quality, Regulatory, and Operations teams to manage supply disruptions and business continuity events. Ensure compliance with procurement governance, contracting policies, and supplier quality requirements.

Financial & Business Performance

Deliver annual productivity, cash flow, working capital, and value creation targets. Manage category budgets, forecasts, savings pipelines, and strategic investment opportunities. Support business planning and long-range planning processes. Develop executive-level presentations and recommendations for senior leadership decision-making.

Leadership and Development

Provides leadership and development for procurement professionals supporting the assigned commodity ingredient categories.

Reporting Structure

The final reporting structure and direct-report scope should be confirmed during position approval.

Requirements

• Required Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Economics, Agricultural Sciences, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 6+ years of progressive procurement, sourcing, commodity management, agriculture, food manufacturing, or related experience.
• Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations and supplier relationships.
• Strong financial, analytical, project management, and change leadership capabilities.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead through ambiguity.
• MBA or advanced degree.
• Experience within food, ingredients, agriculture, commodities, or consumer packaged goods.
• Market expertise in oils, grains, flour, pasta, components, or related ingredient categories.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and analytics tools.
• Success Measures Achievement of annual productivity, cash flow, and value creation targets.
• Improved supply continuity and reduced category risk.
• Strong supplier performance and strategic relationship health.
• Delivery of innovation and growth-enabling initiatives.